How Arts and Crafts Can Help Children Development?

“Things used to be so much better” is a popular saying of the majority of elderly people, and I have to agree with it. Most children nowadays don’t have hands-on experience with arts and crafts. Many of them are glued to screens all day long, watching cartoons or Youtube. A child’s time is much better spent playing with Legos or flexing its creative muscles on pieces of paper.

The age-old tradition of having fun by creating something is lost in most households, and there are not only less crafty children, but the parents are lacking it, too. Most school systems around the world have compulsory Arts and Crafts classes that are graded rather strictly and make most children hate crafting. Often, the annoyed parents are the ones that have to make the Arts and Crafts homework.

Things used to be better, but they can be great again. With the help of the Internet, you can download any scheme an experienced crafter has made, and follow in their footsteps. Dedicate an entire afternoon to making something with your children and instill a good creative spirit in them.

What Can Arts and Crafts Teach Children?

A child’s physical and mental development are very interlinked, and by working with their hands, young kids can get a feel for different materials and learn the way the pieces can fit together. One of the reasons a baby puts everything into his or her mouth is because their hands aren’t developed enough to feel the material — only their mouth is.

Crafting is a demanding skill that uses all the senses the child has and sharpens them. It teaches children patience while they wait for the glue to dry. It shows them how to concentrate on the task, and demonstrates them the basics of physics when they place that ship in the bathtub or throw a paper airplane.

Crafting also tells children that it’s ok if they make mistakes and that a failed project is often recyclable. It lets kids display confidence when they make a complex machine out of sheet metal, glue, nuts and bolts, as well as teaches them to value aesthetics and display their unique creativity.

The Role of Parents

Parents have a very different role in the Arts and Crafts world. You’re their supporting pillar when their art is criticised, the backup cleaner, and the patron of their fine art. Whenever a child makes something, they run to their parent to get their approval and encouragement. Sometimes, the “piece of art” they created won’t be that good. Give them encouraging critique and place that small work of art in the best spot in the house. It might look bad to you, but your child devoted their time and energy to make it.